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Original poster

Serving soldier attacks a woman and escapes jail because of his job

63 replies

tungthai · 30/05/2013 18:33

Sorry can't link on this phone. www.swindonadvertiser/news/proudofyourselfsergeant

A soldier launches a vicious attack on a female in a nightclub. The judge said ordinarily he would face a prison sentence but because of his exemplary service in the Army he gets away with a conditional discharge.

What sort of message does this send out?

I for sure do not feel comfortable with someone like him patrolling the streets of Afghanistan.

OP posts:
pointythings · 30/05/2013 19:31

He should not have had preferential treatment unless he can demonstrate mitigating circumstances such as PTSD. No hiding behind the uniform for anyone.

WildEyedAndHairy · 30/05/2013 20:02

www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/10450737.Proud_of_yourself_Sergeant_/?ref=mr

Link for you. Exemplary service and "a father figure" according to the magistrate Hmm. I would have thought a tougher than usual sentence would be more appropriate if anything?

Original poster
tungthai · 30/05/2013 20:08

The more I think about this the more angry it makes me feel.

There were no mitigating circumstances. He had no defence.

OP posts:
Original poster
tungthai · 30/05/2013 20:09

Thanks for the link Wildeyed. Smile

OP posts:
LifeofPo · 30/05/2013 20:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BOF · 30/05/2013 20:20

If a firefighter or police officer did that, they'd be seen as a disgrace to the profession and be sacked.

Chubfuddler · 30/05/2013 20:22

People say some soldiers do things like this due to combat stress etc.

I do wonder if its just the other way round, and some (note some) people are drawn to the armed forces because they are instinctively bullies and it provides an opportunity to give vent to violent instincts.

Chubfuddler · 30/05/2013 20:22

I wish I thought that were true Bof. The police can be just as bad.

BOF · 30/05/2013 20:26

Really? I thought it was in their contracts- a friend of mine works for the fire service and said that domestic violence etc (so I assume common assault in public too) meant instant dismissal. I really hope that's the case.

Chubfuddler · 30/05/2013 20:28

I don't know about what is on their contracts. If it iOS I suppose it would require a conviction and what wife is going to complain to the police about a serving police officer?

It's bloody depressing.

JazzAnnNonMouse · 30/05/2013 20:29

Terrible

Ilikethebreeze · 30/05/2013 20:32

atrocious

pointythings · 30/05/2013 20:34

I've just read the link. It's an appalling travesty of justice, in my opinion the prosecution should be seeking an appeal on the grounds of excessive lenience.

Boomba · 30/05/2013 22:00

thats disgusting

fromparistoberlin · 30/05/2013 23:14

disgusting

you see this is why i sometimes like twitter and DM, they publicise stories like this and generate outrage

as for that magistrate, jesus. I thought her dads statement was ace

GoshAnneGorilla · 31/05/2013 13:01

This is the downside to all the "heroes" malarky.

Agree with whoever upthread said he was hiding behind the uniform.

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/05/2013 15:31

What is really worrying is that he assaulted her because she 'rebuffed' him. So, he gets violent when women don't want to be sexually involved with him. Very scary.

Boomba · 31/05/2013 15:34

i dont consider that soldier=hero, at all

suckmabigtoe · 31/05/2013 15:41
Angry
HappyAsEyeAm · 31/05/2013 15:47

This is awful. Why has there been no outcry?

Original poster
tungthai · 31/05/2013 16:37

The story doesn't even seem to be getting much attention in Swindon. It is no longer listed in their newsfeed which is based on viewing figures.

I think it's worth a letter to the editor at least.

OP posts:
phantomnamechanger · 31/05/2013 20:30

crikey that's awful! Another one trying the "I can't remember" line. Are we expected to sympathise with people too drunk to behave themselves or remember their actions?

I also agree that some soldiers, a very small minority, are in the job because they want to vent their violent natures -though one would hope they have some means of weeding these sort out when they try to join up. Then again, violent creeps like this can often seem charming and normal to the world, while being violent bullies in the home etc

Darkesteyes · 31/05/2013 22:07

These stories never do get prevelance because they interfere with the hero rhetoric. Look at what happens with a certain website and the stuff that they post about violence towards women. The website that has trolled this one in the past. ......nothing.
A media research request was put in from Glamour magazine almost three months ago about the reporting of sexual assaults . I mentioned this website in an e mail to them.
The way the monthly mags work is they usually plan issues 3 months in advance so it should be in the July issue which is out next week. I still doubt this other website will get a mention though.

Boomba · 31/05/2013 22:12

what website darkesteyes?

Darkesteyes · 31/05/2013 22:13

If i say it it will bring their trolls here. I will pm you.